Variable speed transmission



CMPS, .2.

4 INVEN'ToRs ARLING DIX BROWN JR.

LEO E VALENTI AT ORNEY Jan. 14, 1958 A. D. BRowN, JR., ETAL VARIABLE .SPEED TRANSMISSION Filed July l, 1955 VUnited States Patent" This inventionrtrelates to a variable speed transmissiohl Itiisl anLobject-iof fthis" invention to` provide t a novel* :and

trollable-` remotely-y to produce any-"onef of al plurality-of output speeds. over a'widel range.

It.` is also ianfobject "of thepre'sent 'invention to provid e" afnews'` and'l improved remoteV controlled"l variable "speed" drive. for' advancing =the recording chart "associated with a magnetic pen recorder, such as that shown' in `,U.l Si" Letters' `Patent 2.478,3 29 i to' i Shaper. l

In conventionaltransmissions 4ofth'e*general"type wherein .thea outputi speed vis controlled selectively to have any particular one ofa number of definite ratios Withrespect to f the -inpntt` speed; a common characteristic of such` transmissions is-that relatively high-'operating forces are requiredfltofoperate ltheclutchesn theftransm'ission to change theioutput t speed'. 'is'I because operation' of the Iclutches isopposed bythe loa'don the transmission.'

This ispart'cularly disadvantageous Awhere remote controltfoperation "of thetransmission'is desired, since inthe case of'ithesettransmissions the operating'forces necessary for=thefsuccessful performance of the clutchfoperating These clis-` mechanisms becomel excessive' in' practice. advantages are avoided in'the present'invention'lbyithe provision in thel transmission' of'clutcharrangements ef-` fective to vary selectively the' outputspeed Without thel necessity; of largegoperatingforces on theclutches to ef-` fectfthe desired speedchangesi Therefore', itis also an" object'of this invention topro-fvide a novel, remote controlled, .variable speed transmissioiii'having-clu-tch" arrangements'which are not required to opposehe load onethe transmissionin order'to effect. speed changes; thereby enabling small 'operating .-fo'rces i. on the clutchesto beeictive to change the output speed of the transmission'.

Another objectof this invention is 4to provider` avaria-- b'lespeeddrive of novel,` space-saving,construe-tion which` ,minimizes manufacturing' tolerances and assembly-prohlems'. i

Af1rther4 objectofythis invention-is to. provide a` novel; 55

eral outputispeedsover a`ywide range through operator-i cont-rolled variation' of. increments ofrfspeed.. change: in:` thetransmission; a'llin a mechanismdn whichtherelaret variable' speed drivecapable yof `producing any one `of-sev- Oth'ertand further objects and *advantages of the present' inventionwill be.' apparent from thefollowing' dev scriptionA of-"a preferred" embodiment thereof, `which is A speed" transmission of` the. presentinventionand showing: schematicallylthe control circuit for.thisltransmissiongfand= Figi 2 is a transverse. cross sectionfthrough-on'eoftheu overrunning.l clutches in. thesFigwl -:tra-nsmi'ssion The`- illustratedi embodiment oft theapresentw invention` r' `ice 2 representsl'a" specific` variable speed 'transmission designed for driving the recording chartassociatedwithfa-imagi njetcpen recorder of the general. typeV shown in` Iletter's'lPatent2,478,329 to Shaper.` While "theW primary utility for` the transmissionis forA this particularL purpose, it"isto"'beunderstood'that th`e transmission of `present invention is not limitedin its utility tofthisvspeiticpurprose but may be usedwherevel` it'is"found"desira'blelto emplya transmission hvingthe characteristics of the presentinventionl` l .p p

Referring to Fig. 1`, the supporty-hous`ing,forthetrans. mission includes` a pair'of spacedfparalleLend plates 10; 11. Endplate `11`is `formed with alirst circular houle 12` at which is located a bearing Vsleevei13Sha1vingf'attransf verseat annulahshouldr 14 abuttingflagainstthe outer face of `the end plate 11. Sleeve 132L is formed with an axial passage- 13a through whichfthefinput driver shaft 15`extends snugly, yet rotatably.` Asnap ringflaserves tdloc'k thedive shaft axially relativefto sleeve` 13` and the' end 'plate 11'.. l p 1 x At theiniier side of endplate 11 afsmallpgeari17 is` mounted rigidly on drive shaft 15r torotatejin unison th'er'ewithfat all"` times. Gear` 17. meshes `wit-ln.a-largexj-` gear 18 carriedion'a sleeve ..18z.which is free turning-oni first intermediate shaft 19. VShaft ,19;issupportedcrotata# bly b'y a bearingfzfsecured at holeQZfl ,'inend -pjlatet11` ardextends parallel `to. input` shaftf 15` -ini spacedrelation therefrom;` Gears. 17, 18` provide;a.ireduction;gearing` betweeninput 4shaft 15.'and{firstldntermediateshaft 19:J

Another `gear 22 is :secured'rigidly to a `hub 23 mounted" to turn freely on input lshaft 15; A h-elicalcoil'sprin'gl 24 `encircles hub 23 anda hub.ZSsecUredTigidIy toinput shaft 15 to rota-te therewith:v at all times, thetspringtZiw forming a `clutchbetween these hubs., Inf'thernormaldif rection of rotation `of input shaft 15,V thetfrotationlofthub ZStends .to Wind helical spring 24-ttigh=tlyiabiout hiubsfZSl and23, thereby establishing adirectdrive fr-omitinptlt shaft `15: to` gear. 22.` However, when:springfif'lisrtrely strainedfagainst rotation `withhub-iZ5:'\heiicalspring i241 tends. to unwind andthe directA drive frorndshaft' 151 through springxclutch'24to `gear 22=is11disco"nnected- Gear 22 meshes with`an identical gear?26='rntla'uited`i rigidly on a hub 27 secured to 4iirst` intermedia effsha-fti,`r` so that .gear26 rotates with `shaft19'at all times. y

VTo permit shaft 19` tooverrup'thefredction gearing 17,',18` whendriven at higher'fspeed through-gear 2'2","` there is.providedvannoverrunning.clutch ofconvention i design disposed between gears 18rand26'l As showrifinf Fig; 2, Athis overrunning `clutch includes fantannuflarsle ve 28, which projects axially fromonelend `fof gear18""(Fiigf.f l), Surrounding 1i a plate 29' integrati with hub" zfantii formedwith three peripheral ball-receiving recessesj 30-32.' Compression coil `springs 315-435` locateiifinl th'ese recessesebias thefrespectiveballs' `liti-'38i away/"front larger? ends:` of: these recesses. In the*fnormalfdirectiori" p of rotation ofshaft 19 (clockwise inFig.' 42); wheni'shaftj 19 is driven at a higher speedv through?,gears"22,'A 26"`th`ar1""` to.L slip pastt sleeve` 28; the'lballs" E56-38" permitting this*k action to takey place.-`

In the operation of theabove-described portionfoffthe* presentl transmission, when it is" desiredf-to `estbiishf'thief lowerspeed increment of the drive, the'h'elical spring"24f is restrained lagainst rotation with input shaft`1`5jthe're`by disconnecting 'gear22 from this shaft.

Gear 17 on the inputsha'ft 15` drives theotheifge 18t`of thereduction gearing, and `gear 1"8""drives"hub"27f through clutch 28.38, to drivefrst intermediate vshaft`19- at the reduced speed determined'by thef/"geitfratis "of" the'reduction-gearing 17, 18. Inthisiinsta'nc, thi reduc` tiongearingl provides a speed reduction'ofl "1":2' from inputA shaft to first intermediate shaft 19. For the higher speed drive, helical spring 24 is permitted to rotate with input shaft 15 to thereby connect this shaft directly to gear 22. Gear 22, in turn, drives gear 26 to rotate first intermediate shaft 19 at the same speed as input shaft 15. At this time, gear 18 of the reduction gearing continues to be turned by gear 17, but at a lower speed than gear 26. However, clutch 28-38 permits the rigid assembly of first intermediate shaft 19, hub 27 and gear 26 to overrun reduction gear 18 at the higher speed imparted to this assembly by the drive through gear 22.

The next increment of speed change in the transmission is effected through the following mechanism, referring to Fig. l: A helical spring clutch encircles hub 27 and another hub 41 mounted on sleeve 41a to turn freely on shaft 19. Gear 42 is secured fixedly on hub 41. Gear 42 drives a gear 43 secured to a hub 44 attached to a second intermediate shaft 45 to rotate therewith. Shaft 45 at one end isV received rotatably within an axial recess 46 formed in the inner end in input shaft 15. At its opposite end, shaft 45 is rotatably supported by a shouldered bearing 47 mounted at a hole 48 in the end plate 10. Obviously, shaft 45 is coaxial with the input shaft 15 and the respective end plate holes 12 and 48 are in alignment.

First intermediate shaft 19 also carries rigidly a small gear or pinion 49 which drives a large gear 50 carried by a sleeve 51 to turn freely on second intermediate shaft 45. For clutching gear to shaft 45 at the lower increment of speed, but permitting shaft 45 to overrun gear 50 at the higher speed increment, there is provided an overrunning clutch 52 disposed between gear 50 and hub 44. This overrunning clutch is preferably identical in construction and mode of operation to that shown in Fig. 2 and already described in detail.

With this arrangement, for a given speed of rotation of first intermediate shaft 19, the second intermediate shaft 45 may be driven at either of two speeds. For the lower speed increment, helical spring clutch 40 is restrained against rotation with hub 27, thereby disconnecting gear 42 from shaft 19. Shaft 19 drives shaft 45 through the 1:5 reduction gearing provided by pinion 49 and gear 50, the clutch 52 and hub 44. At the higher speed increment, helical spring clut-ch 40 is permitted to rotate with hub 27 and connects gear 42 directly to first intermediate shaft 19. Gear 42 drives gear 43, which, in turn, drives second intermediate shaft 45 at the same speed as shaft 19 because of the 1:1 ratio of gears 42 and 43. At this higher speed increment, clutch 52 permits the rigid assembly of second intermediate shaft 45, hub 44 and gear 43 to overrun the more slowly rotating gear 50 of the reductio-n gearing 49, 50.

The final increment of speed change in the transmission is provided by reduction gearing which includes the pinion secured to second intermediate shaft 45, large gear 61 driven by pinion 60 and carried by a sleeve 62 which turns freely on first intermediate shaft 19, a pinion 63 also carried on this sleeve and rotating in unison with gear 61, and a large gear 64 driven by pinion 63 and carried on a bushing 65 mounted to rotate freely on second intermediate shaft 45.

A hub 66 mounted on bushing 67 to turn freely on shaft 45 carries a gear 68 which meshes with a gear 69 secured to a hub 70 which turns freely on first intermediate shaft 19. Hub 70 drives the output shaft 71 through a suitable coupling 72. As shown in Fig. l, output shaft 71 extends througha shouldered sleeve bearing 73 located at a hole 74 in the end plate 10. At its inner end, the output shaft is formed with an axial recess 75 for receiving and supporting rotatably the adjacent end of first intermediate shaft 1 9. Thus, shafts 19 and 71 are coaxial with one another and the end plate holes 21 and 74 are aligned with one another.

A helical spring clutch 76 forms a coupling between hub 66 and a hub 77 secured rigidly to second intermedi-v ate shaft 45. In the normal direction of rotation of shaft 45, spring 76 winds tightly about hubs 77 and 66 to clutch these elements together and impart a direct drive from second intermediate shaft 45 direct to gear 68. At this time, the overrunning clutch 78, which acts between gear 68 and the final gear 64 of the reduction gearing 60, 61, 63, 64 and which is identical in construction and mode of operation to that shown in Fig. 2, permits gear 68 to overrun the lower speed drive imparted by the reduction gearing 60, 61, 63, 64. When the direct drive from shaft 45 to gear 68 is disconnected, by restraining helical spring 76 against rotation, the drive to gear 68 is through reduction gearing 60, 61, 63, 64 and clutch 78. In this low speed increment, the reduction gearing 60, 61, 63, 64 provides a 1:25 speed change from second intermediateshaft 45 to output shaft 71. The drive from shaft 45 through spring clutch 76 and gears 68, 69 to the output shaft is at a 1:1 speed ratio.

For selectively controlling the operation of the helical spring clutches 24, 40 and 76, and thus determining the Output speed from the transmission, there are provided operator-controlled, solenoid-operated mechanisms for selectively restraining the respective spring clutches against rotation when desired. Such control mechanisms and the control circuit therefor are shown schematically in Fig. l.

As indicated in Fig. 1, the helical spring clutch 24 at one end is formed with an integral outwardly extending finger or protrusion 24a. This protrusion on the spring clutch is positioned to be engaged by a stop arm 80 which is here shown as pivoted at its middle on a support bracket 81. A tension spring 82 normally biases stop arm 80 away from engagement with spring clutch protrusion 24a, at which time spring clutch 24 rotates with hub 25 and connects gear 22 directly to input shaft 15. However, when solenoid coil 83 is energized it draws stop arm 80 clockwise in Fig. l against the bias of spring 82 and positions the outer end of the stop arm at a location to engage the spring clutch protrusion 24a and restrain the helical spring clutch 24 against rotation with hub 25, thereby disconnecting the direct connection from input shaft 15 to gear 22. Of course, it is to be understood that the mechanism for restraining the helical spring clutch 24 against rotation may take various forms different from that illustrated schematically in Fig. l without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In the control circuit of Fig. l, each of the push button operated switches 101, 103, and 107 controls the energization of solenoid coil 83 from power source 100. Line 108 interconnects one end of solenoid coil 83 and one side of the power source 100. The fixed terminals 101a, 103a, 105a and 107:1 of the respective switches are connected through line 110 to the other side of power source 100 while line 109 leads from the opposite end of solenoid coil 83 to the other fixed terminals 101b, 103b, 105bl and 107b of these switches. Shorting bars 111, 113, and 117 suitably connected mechanically to the respective push buttons 121, 123, 125, and 127 for the switches 101, 103, 105, and 107 are positioned to bridge the respective pairs of switch contacts 101a and 101b, 103a and 103b, 105a and 105b, and 107a and 10717 when the respective push buttons are depressed manually by the operator. Thus, when any one of these push buttons is depressed, solenoid coil 83 is energized from the power source 100.

Similarly, the control for spring clutch 40 includes a pivoted stop arm 85 operative to be moved clockwise in Fig. l by the energization of solenoid coil 86 to engage the protruding finger 40a on spring clutch 40 and thereby restrain spring 40 against rotation with hub 27. Tension spring 87 normally biases stop arm 85 away from engagement with the spring clutch protrusion 40a.

In the energization circuit for solenoid coil 86, line 118 connects one end of the coil to one side of power source 100., `Linef11t9-fleads,from.the opppsite end sf. solenoid oi1:s'6t.ufe.xed terminals freie, Jitz, 105C" 'and 106e of 4-svvitclfes `10T-1',1 L10'2 10'5`and 1016, respectively. The corresponding other fired l terminals 101d, 102d, 105d andf`6d of these` switches are connected respectively thro'ughlines" 120L and '110 to `theother side of power source'1001f Shorting. bar 131 of 1switch 1012 is `suitably mechanically connected to push button 121 and bridges the iredcontacts 1017 and 101d ofthis switch when this pushbutton-s` is depressed. Likewise, shorting bar 132 of""swit`ch l02-b`ridgestthe iixedfcontacts 102C and 102d of thi`s"svvitch`when push button 122A is depressed, `shorting ba'r`f135`of switch 105 bridges the fixed contacts 1'05cand 1054i of lthis switch whenV push button 125`is depressed, arid"shorting bar'136 of switch 106 bridges the fixed` contacts1`0`6b and `10`6`d of Athis switchwhen push button 126 is" depressed.

s Thus`solenoid^ coil'86 isenergized from powersource 10`0fwl'1e1`1`any` of Ath`e`pu"sh buttons `121, 122, 125.01: 126 is depressed; s

In like manner, spring clutch 7 6y is controlledby mechanisni ywhich"in`cludes a pivotedv stop arm 88 which moves clczlvslise4 in Fig.` l when solenoid coi189`is energized, to engage. the protrusion 76a on helical spring clutch 76 andgrestrain spring clutch 76 against rotation. Tension spriig `90ln`or`mally biases stop arm 88 away` fromL engageme'nt with the spring clutch protrusion 76a. s

Tli'energizationcircuit for solenoid' coil 89 includesa line'91" interconnecting one side of coil 89 and line 108 which leadstoone side of power source 100'.` Line-92 lead`s`fo`rn the other end of solenoid coil 89 totheliiired terrriials"101e,`102e, 103e and 104e of. switches 1101, 102',l i103" andv 104, respectively.' The corresponding ,other fix'edlter'rr'linals 101i, 102), ,103)c and 104f oftheseswitches areconn'ected respectively through lines 93, 110,120 and 110 to thevother side of power` source 100. Shorting bar 141"of `switch 101 is mechanically coupled'to push button 1211so" thatwhen this push button is depressed the switch contacts? 101e and.101f are bridged and solenoid coil8i9"`is energized from `power source 100. Also, short inggb'r 142"of switch 102 bridges the fixed` terminals 102`and 102f`of this switch when push button 122 is depressedgshorting. bar 143 of switch 103 bridges `the fixed terminals1103e and 103f`of this switchfwhen push button 1231is depressed, and shortingbar 144 of` switch 1"04"bi"isdges,the fixed contacts 104e and 104]c of-thisswitch wlieff push button 124 is` depressed.

Thus, solenoid 89 is energized when any one of the push "buttons 121, 122,` 123 or 124 isdepressed..

With `theforegoingV control arrangement,` itwill; be readily ,understood` that` the `lowest speed drive tothe outputrshaft 71 is established when push button` 121 is depressed.` At this ttime, each of the solenoid coils 83; and `89`is energized so that the drive from input shaft fto' firstA intermediate shaft 19 is through the 1:21 re d'ction gearing17, 18, the drive from first intermediate shaft` to second intermediate shaft 451 is through the 1:5`r'eduction gearing 49,50, and the drive from second intermediate shaft 45 to gear 68 is through the 1:25 reduction gearing 60, 61, 63, 64. `sha'lft171` is 1/250 of the speed of input shaft 15.

For the` nexthighest output speed, push button` 122 :aloneis depressed, thereby energizing each of solenoid coils S6``and `89. Atthis time, the drive from input shaft 15`tofirst intermediate shaft 19 is through helical spring -clutch.24- and gears 22, 26, so that no speed reduction occurs between these shafts. The drive from first` in- ;te'rmediate shaft 19 to second intermediate shaft 45is :throughthe 1:5 reduction gearing 49, 50, and the drive from secondintermediate. shaft 45 to gear 68 is through 'the.,1:25 reductions gearing 60, 61, 63, 64. Thus, the :speedof outputshaft is 1/125 that-of input shaft 15,\or twitremthe lowest output speed.

i In't' e next-highest speed, onlypushbutton 123 lisrtde'-, pressed, f thereby energizing solenoid-coils 83 and `89;

Thus, the speed ofoutput When this.` occurswtheadr'ive from,.inpiitcshaftI v15 throughthe 1'52l` reduction gearing, `17,` `.'18H` ,to` the. first in-` termediate if shaft A`19f The.. drive fromY `first intermediate shaft`19 to second fintermediateshaft `45 is through helical spring! clutch h40andgears 4243, `sothat no speletlyre-V duction takes place between-the first t Aandlsecond inter-` mediate"shafts" at" this time.- The drive from-second intermediateshaft"45to gear 68"is `through the -1:2`5`re dctiongearing,61;'63,64. Thus, the speed ofout put Ashaft 71`is 1/50 that-of the input shaft 15, `orvetimes the lowest outputspeed. l

Inftheinext highest speed, only push button 124 is depressed,therebyenergizing solenoid coil 89. At this time, theldrive fomlinput shaft 15`` to first intermediate `shaft 19 is' thrughhelicalfspring clutch 24`and gearst22', 26, andthedivefr'on first intermediate shaft1`9`to second intermediate shaft 45 is throu'gh` helical .spring` clutch 40 and" gears' 42j '431 Thus, there is no speed reduction between input shaft 15 and the second intermediate shaft 451` The drive from shaft `45 to" gear 68 is through the 1":25reduction` gearing 60, 61, 63,64." With` arrangement; the speed of `output shaft 71is 1/25 that of. input shaftv "15,1 or tentimes `the lowest output speed.

Fr"the next'shighest speed, push button A125 alone sidepresse'd, thereby energizing solenoid coils 83 and 86. Thus, the'drive from input shaftv 15 to iirst intermediate shaft"19"is"tlirough`the` 1:2 reduction gearing-17, 18, .and tliedrivexfromrst intermediate shaft 19 to second inter-` mediate"shaft"45` is through the 1:5 reduction gearing 49";"550/'f` The drive from second intermediate shaft45 to geaiA 68 is through helical spring clutch 76, so that no speed reduction occurs here. The speed of output shaft is therefore 1A@ that of input shaft 15, or ltwenty-five times the lowest-V output speed.

In the' nexthighest speed, push button 126Y alone is depressed, thereby energizing solenoid'coil 86. The drive from input shaft 15 to rst intermediate shaft: 19 at this time'is through'helical spring clutch 24 and gears 22, 26, so` that no speed reduction takes place between `these shafts; The drive from first intermediate shaft19 to second intermediate shaft 45 is throughtthe 1:5 reduction gearing 49, 50. The drive from second intermediate shaft 45 to gear 68 is through helicalspring clutch 76, soithat no speed reduction takes place-between these elements.` Therefore, the speed of output shaft 71 is 1/5 that of input shaft`15, or fifty times thelowest output speed.

In the next to the highest output speed, push button12f7- only is depressed, thereby energizing solenoid coil 83. The drive from input shaft 15 to iirst intermediate shaft 19 is through the 1:2 reductiontgearing 17,18.4 The drive from first intermediate shaft 19 and secondintermediate shaft 45 is through helical spring clutch 40. and gears 42, 43, and the drive from second intermediate shaft @5to `gear 68 is through helical spring clutch 76,.so` that nospeed reduction takes place between the. iirstrinterme diateshaft 19 and gear 68. The speed of outputshaft 71 is therefore one-half that of input shaft 15, or one hundred twenty-five times the lowest output speed.

For the highest output speed, none of the push buttons is depressed. Therefore, the drive from inputshaft 15 to first intermediate shaft 19 occurs withoutspeed reduc-4 tion through helical spring `clutch 24 and gears 22, 26, ythe drive from first intermediate shaft 19 to second interme-` diate shaft 45 occurs without speed reduction through helical spring clutch 40 and gears 42, 43, and the drive from second intermediate shaft 45 to gear 68 takesplace without speed reduction through helical spring clutch 76.- Thus, there is no speed reduction between the inputand output shafts 15 and 71, and this highest output speed4 is two hundred fifty times the lowest output speed.

From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that the novel construction of the present transmissionadapts it particularly for easy assembly `without substantial dii# culty asto manufacturing tolerances. Allthatis required isthat the respective end` plate 11`oles12,` 21, 48"and"74' 7 be appropriately located .and aligned, so as to properly locate the two axes of rotation in the transmission formed by thev coaxial pairs of shafts 19, 71 and 15, 45. Beyond this, it is necessary merely to maintain proper concentricities of the interfitting shafts and the gears and hubs von the respective shafts, which is relatively simple.

It will be noted further that the operation of the helical spring clutches to either connect the respective shafts directly to the corresponding gears or to disconnect them is not opposed by the load on the transmission. The operating forces required to restrain these spring clutches against rotation, or to remove such restraints against rotation, are quitey small and therefore require no powerful operating mechanism for this purpose. This is particularly advantageous herein because it enables the use of the simple remote controlled solenoid latch arrangement for controlling the operation of these spring clutches, as described.

While in the foregoing description and the accompanying drawing there is disclosed a particular preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is to be understood that various modifications, omissions and refinements which depart from the illustrated mechanism may be adopted without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the particular solenoid-operated arrangements for restraining the helical spring clutches against rotation may be replaced by other suitable devices capable of performing the same functions, and the overrunning clutches are susceptible of many embodiments different from the particular form shown in Fig. 2.

What is claimed is:

1. A variable speed drive comprising a rotary drive shaft, a rotary first intermediate shaft, a first gear mounted on said drive shaft, a second gear mounted on said first intermediate shaft to rotate therewith and meshing with said first gear, a first operator-controlled clutch acting between said drive shaft and said first gear to selectively establish a direct drive from the drive shaft to the first gear or to disengage the drive shaft from direct driving relationship with the first gear, first reduction gearing means mounted on said drive shaft and said first intermediate shaft and driven from said drive shaft7 a first overrunning clutch acting between said rst reduction gearing means and said first intermediate shaft to drive said first intermediate shaft through said first reduction gearing means from the drive shaft when said first operator-controlled clutch disconnects the direct drive between the drive shaft and said first gear and enabling said first intermediate shaft to overrun said first reduction gearing means when driven from the drive shaft through said first and second gears when said first operator-controlled clutch establishes the direct drive from the drive shaft to the first gear,

a rotary second intermediate shaft interfitting rotatably t with said drive shaft, a third gear mounted on said first intermediate shaft, a fourth gear mounted on said second intermediate shaft to rotate therewith and meshing with said third gear, a second operator-controlled clutch acting between said first intermediate shaft and said third gear to selectively establish a direct drive from said first intermediate shaft to said third gear or to disengage said first intermediate shaft from direct driving relationship with said third gear, second reduction gearing means mounted on said first and second intermediate shafts and driven from said first intermediate shaft, a second overrunning clutch acting between said second reduction gearing means and said second intermediate shaft to drive said second intermediate shaft through said second reduction gearing means from said first intermediate shaft when said second operator-controlled clutch disconnects the direct drive between said first intermediate shaft and said third gear and enabling said second intermediate shaft to overrun said second reduction gearing means when driven from said first intermediate shaft through said third and fourth gears when said second operator-controlled clutch establishes the direct drive from said first intermediate shaft to the third gear, a rotary output shaft interfitting rotatably with, said first intermediate shaft, a fifth gear mounted on said second intermediate shaft, a sixth gear mounted on said output shaft to rotate therewith and meshing with said fifth gear, a third operator-controlled clutch acting between said second intermediate shaft and said fifth gear to selectively establish a direct drive from the second intermediate shaft to the fifth gear or to disengage the second intermediate shaft from direct driving relationship with the fifth gear, third reduction gearing means mounted on said first and second intermediate shafts and driven from said second intermediate shaft, and a third overrunning clutch acting between said third reduction gearing means and said fifth gear to drive said output shaft through said third reduction gearing means and said fifth and sixth gears from said second intermediate shaft when said third operator-controlled clutch disconnects the direct drive between the second intermediate shaft and the fifth gear and enabling said fifth gear and said output shaft to overrun said third reduction gearing means when said third operator-controlled clutch establishes the direct drive from the second intermediate shaft to the fifth gear.

2. A variable speed drive comprising a rotary drive shaft, a rotary first intermediate shaft, a first gear mounted on said drive shaft, a second gear mounted on said first intermediate shaft to rotate therewith and meshing with said first gear, a first operator-controlled clutch acting between said drive shaft and said first gear to selectively establish a direct drive from the drive shaft to the first gear or to disengage the drive shaft from direct driving relationship with the first gear, first reduction gearing means mounted on said drive shaft and said first intermediate shaft and driven from said drive shaft, a first overrunning clutch acting between said first reduction gearing means and said first intermediate shaft to drive said first intermediate shaft through said first reduction gearing means from the drive shaft when said first operator-controlled clutch disconnects the direct drive between the drive shaft and said first gear and enabling said first intermediate shaft to overrun said first reduction gearing means when driven from the drive shaft through said first and second gears when said first operator-controlled clutch establishes the direct drive from the drive shaft to the first gear, a rotary second intermediate shaft interfitting rotatably with said drive shaft, a third gear mounted on said first intermediate shaft, a fourth gear mounted on said second intermediate shaft to rotate therewith and meshing with said third gear, a second operator-controlled clutch acting between said first intermediate shaft and said third gear to selectively establish a direct drive from said first intermediate shaft to said third gear or to disengage said first intermediate shaft from direct driving relationship with said third gear, second reduction gearing means mounted on said first and second intermediate shafts and driven from said first intermediate shaft, a second overrunning clutch acting between said second reduction gearing means and said second intermediate shaft to drive said second intermediate shaft through said second reduction gearing means from said first intermediate shaft when said second operator-controlled clutch disconnects the direct drive between said first intermediate lshaft and'said third gear and enabling said second intermediate shaft to overrun said second reduction gearing means when driven from said `first intermediate shaft through said third and fourth gears when said second operator-controlled clutch establishes the direct drive from said first intermediate shaft to the 4third gear, a rotary output shaft intertitting rotatably with said first intermediate shaft, a fifth gear driven from Isaid second intermediate shaft and in drivingrelation with said output shaft, ,a third operator-controlled clutch acting between said second intermediate shaftand said fifth gear to selectively establish a direct drive front@ amarres the second intermediate shaft to the fifth gear or -to disengagefithfE seeondlinter'mediate shaft from direct driving relationship witlr'the:` fifthgear; third reduction 4gearing means ldrivenfrom said second' intermediateshaft, and a thirdoverrunning iclutch acting betweensaid third reductionrgearin'glmeans'andsaidoutput shaft to drive said output` shaft through4 said" third reduction 'gearing means fromwsaidfsecond intermediate lshaftwhen'said third Iopcrater-controlledaclutch disconnects the direct drive be# tweenithe f second intermediate shaft andthe" fifth`A` gear andfenabling:said'output shaft -to'toverrun said third re-` duction Afgearing means fwhen said 'third operator-'controlled clutch'establishes 1 the; direct drive from 'the second timer--y mediateifshaft'to the fifth gear.

3. fArvariable? speed drive comprising a'rotarv d'rive shaft;` ai rotary `'first 'intermediate shaft extending parallel tovsaidadrive 4Vshaft ini spaced relation therefrom,` afirst gear mounted on said drive shaft, a :second gearmounted onrsaidl` ii'rst' intermediate' shaft to'` `rotate* therewith rand meshing ewitli ,said afirst gear, a first operator-controlled tovselectively establishl a direct Adrive-fromthedriveshaft toethe i first' gear or to disengage the' drive shaft 'frorndirect-driving,relationshipwith the' first'gear; firstreduction gearifng i means mounted oni saiddriveshaft tand ,said firstrintermediate' shaft Yand driven frmfsaidfdrive shaft; ay first toverrunning --clutch acting between" :said rst redc` ti'ongearing'means and `said `first intermediate? shaft'to drive` said first intermediate? shaft through: lsaid first 1reductionrgearingrmeans from the drive shaftiwhen said firstfoperator-controlled clutch disconnects the direct drive betweenlthe'drive shaft and said first gear` andfenabling said'frst intermediate shaft to overrun saidY first reduc# tion gearing means when driven from'rthe drive `shaft through said `first and second gears when said first -op erator-controlled clutch establishes thedirect drivefrfrom thetdriveshaftt'to thefirstl gear, a rotary secondiintermediateushaft interfittingf rotatably with saiddrive f-shaft and rextending; coaxialtherewith, a` third gear mounted on lsaid yfirst intermediateshaf-t, a 'fourth gean` mounted on said-second intermediate shaft to rotate-therewitheand meshing :with said third gear,I a secondoperator-controlled clutch acting betweensaid first intermediate shaft `and saidrthird gearto selectively` establisha direct drive from said first intermediate shaft to said third gearaor-ito: disengagesaid `first. intermediate shaft from directdriving relationship with said third gear, second redu-ction gear;` ing means mounted on said-first and second intermediate shafts and driven from said first intermediate shaff, `a secondaoverrunning yclutch acting between said second reduction gearing means and saidsecond intermediate shaft to drive said second intermediateshaft throughsaid second'reduction gearing means from said first intermediate shaft `when` said second operator-controlled,clutch disconnects the direct drive between saidfrstinter-mediate shaft and-said third gear and enabling said second intermediate shaftto overrun -said second reductionrgearing means whendriven from said first intermediate shaft throughisaid third and fourth gears lwhen said second operator-'controlled clutch establishes the direct drive from said first intermediate shaft to the third gear, a rotary outptttshaftinterfitting rotatably with said first inter-- mediateshaftand extending coaxial therewith,r a pair of spacedendfnlates"each formedwith spacedholes receivV ing, respectively,` theassembly of the driveshaft andthe second"`intermediateshaft and the assembly of the "first" intermediate Vshaft and the output shaft;` a xfth (gear munt'ed on 'said second intermediate shaft;l aisixthmgear mounted:onHsaidfoutput shaft to rotate" therewith "arfd me'sh'ingwith isaidf'tiftii "gear, t a third `operator-controlled' clutch acting between said second intermediate shaftand' sa'idiilifth:` gear tot selectively establish a `direct drive from the seconcrinterrnedite `shaft 'tot the Lfifth gear Yfor to dis-fengage'etht second "intermediate shaft from direct"dri`v'"` ing, means mounted on said'first and second intermediate shafts and driven 'from said second intermediate "shaft, and a thirdoverrunning clutch acting between said third' reduction gearing means and said fifth gear to drive'said' output shaftthrouglr ysaid third reduction Vgearing Vmeans and said fifth and'sixth gears from said second inter-l mediate shaft 'wherr said third operator-controlled cltc'h disconnects `the direct drive between 'the second inter#` mediate shaft land the""fift'h"gear and enabling said"fifth` andl'sixtlrgear's and'fsaidA output lshaftfto' overrun' said third reduction gearingfm'eans whensaidthird operatori controlled' clutchestablishes theldir'ect 4dri've from the secll ond intermediate shaft forth-e fifth'gcaiz y 4i' LA variablej'speedfdrive ycornprisii'lgfa rotary drive sh'laftf a rotaryirst intermediate shaft, a first gear ,mounted on said' driveshaftgiasecondgear mountedon said first intermediate shaftjt rrotafeitherewith andtmeshing with said first gear, afirst helical springcliitchacting between' said"driv`e`"shaftandsaid'firstfgear to impart a direct drive fronfthe `dr`i`ve 'shaftto the first gear when'rotated in'uni-4 son]` with `the Jdrive "shaft,` f ir`st operatorfcontrolled mecha-A nism for"restrainingY "saidfi'rst spring clutch against rotation with ms'drivshafr to aiseeanectxthadirecf drive between the' drive' shaftanddhe' first gear`,` first reduction gearing means mounted on `said')drive shaft and `saidfirst inter# mdiafesraft `'and drrv'ea fre-n1" garantiva shaft, a nist running'cltitchacting"between'said rst reductiongearing means land'sai'd' firstnter'mediate 4shaft `to drive said first intermediate sliaftthrough vsaid first reductiony gearing means "frni the 'drive"shft'whenfsaid first springtcluteh di'svc'fnnectsthedirect drive betweenV the -drive shaftfand said'frsgearand enabling said fir'stintermediate shaft 'to overrn said first reduction gearing means when driven from'thedrive-shaffthroughfsaid first and Vsec'ondgcars when said first springlwclutch-establishesl the direct drive' fromthe drive shaft tothe firstgearra rotary'seccindy intermediate, shaft -interfit'ting rotatably with saidfdrivev shaft', `a third gea'r'mourited onsaid-firstintermediateshaft;` a furthgear mounted'on said second intermediatershaft t rotate therewith, andmeshing `with said third gear?, `a secondfhelical spring clutch actingbetweenlsaid first inte;-v mediate shaft and said third gemito-impart .a direct drive from saidfirst intermediate shaft tolsaid third geawhen rotated in unison `with said first intermediate shaftamsecond operatrecontrolledl mechanism for restrainingsaidseeond sprin,`gcl1'1`tch `against rotation with; said `first intermediate shaft `toA disconnect thedirect drive. between said first in. termediatetshaftand said third gear,-second.reduction gearing" means, mounted` onsaid first and" second( inter-` mediate shafts .andrdriven from said firstintermediate shaft, a secondtoverrunning clutch actingbetweeniisaid second-reduction gearingmeans and saidrsecondminter-y mediate shaft tofdrive said ,second t intermediate .shaft through said second 'reduction gear-ing` means from: said first intermediate shaftfwhed said second spring clutch disconnects thedirectzdrive `between said first intermediate-'shafti'and said: third gear and enablingsaid second intermediateshaft to `overrunsaid second reduction gearingtmeans `whendr-iven from said first intermediate shaft through` said'tthird and fourthgearsfwhen ,saidr second springwclutch` establishes the direetsdrive from saidiiirst intermediate shaft `to` the third gear;` a p rotary output shaft interfrttingarotatably ywithfsail` first intermediate shaft, a fifth Tgear` mountedionisaid second-intermediate shaft, asixthagearmounted-onsaid output shaft to'rotate therewithland-meshingrwithsaid fifth gear,` `a third helical spring` clutch t acting :between said second intermediate. shaft Pand `fsaid fifth gearftoimpart a Idirect drive "from the second 'intermediate'lshft -to theffifth" gear when rotated t in unison with said-1second'intermediateshaft; third-oper#n amr-controlled mechanism for restraining saidthirdspririg cl-utch against rotation withsaid second intermediate shaft to`disco'nnec't`- tli'direc't vdrive between the "second'interr mediate' shaftaiidthe fifthgear, third reduction gearing 11 means mounted on said first and second intermediate shafts and driven from said second intermediate shaft, and a third overrunning clutch acting between said third reduction gearing means and said fifth gear to drive said output shaft through said third reduction gearing means and said fifth and sixth gears from said second intermediate shaft when said third spring clutch disconnects the direct drive between the second intermediate shaft and the fifth gear and enabling said fifth and sixth gears and said output shaft to overrun said third reduction gearing means when said third spring clutch establishes the direct drive from the second intermediate shaft to the fifth gear.

5. A variable speed drive comprising a rotary drive shaft, a rotary first intermediate shaft extending parallel to said drive shaft in spaced relation therefrom, a first gear mounted on said drive shaft, a second gear mounted on said first intermediate shaft to rotate therewith and meshing with said first gear, a first helical spring clutch acting between said drive shaft and said first gear to impart a direct drive from the drive shaft to the first gear when rotated in unison with the drive shaft, first operator-controlled mechanism for restraining said first spring clutch against rotation with the drive shaft to disconnect the direct drive between the drive shaft and the first gear, first reduction gearing means mounted on said drive shaft and said first intermediate shaft and driven from said drive shaft, a first overrunning clutch acting between said first reduction gearing means and said first intermediate shaft to drive said first intermediate shaft through said first reduction gearing means from the drive shaft when said first spring clutch disconnects the direct drive between the drive shaft and said first gear and enabling said first intermediate shaft to overrun said first reduction gearing means when driven from the drive shaft through said first and second gears when said first spring clutch establishes the direct drive from the drive shaft to the first gear, a rotary second intermediate shaft intertitting rotatably with said drive shaft and extending coaxial therewith, a third gear mounted on said rst intermediate shaft, a fourth gear mounted on said second intermediate shaft to rotate therewith and meshing with said third gear, a second helical spring clutch acting between said first intermediate shaft and said third gear to impart a direct drive from said first intermediate shaft to said third gear when rotated in unison with said first intermediate shaft, second operator-controlled mechanism for restraining said second spring clutch against rotation with said first intermediate shaft to disconnect the direct drive between said first intermediate shaft and said third gear, second reduction gearing means mounted on said first and second intermediate shafts and driven from said first intermediate shaft, a second overrunning clutch acting between said second reduction gearing means and said second intermediate shaft to drive said second intermediate shaft through said second reduction gearing means from said first intermediate shaft when said second spring clutch disconnects the direct drive between said first intermediate shaft and said third gear and enabling said second intermediate shaft to overrun said second reduction gearing means when driven from said first intermediate shaft through said third and fourth gears when said second spring clutch establishes the direct drive from said first intermediate shaft to the third gear, a rotary output shaft interfitting rotatably with said first intermediate shaft and extending coaxial therewith, a pair of spaced end plates each formed with spaced holes receiving, respectively, the assembly of the drive shaft and the second intermediate shaft and the assembly of the first intermediate shaft and the output shaft, a fifth gear mounted on said second intermediate shaft, a sixth gear mounted on said output shaft to rotate therewith and meshing withv said fth gear, a third helical spring clutch acting between said second intermediate shaft and said fifth gear to impart a direct drive from the second intermediate shaft to the fifth gear when rotated in unison with said second intermediate shaft, third operator-controlled mechanism for restraining said third spring clutch against rota tion with said second intermediate shaft to disconnect the direct drive between the second intermediate shaft and the fifth gear, third reduction gearing means mounted on said first and second intermediate shafts and driven from said second intermediate shaft, and a third overrunning clutch acting between said third reduction gearing means and said fifth gear to drive said output shaft through said third reduction gearing means and said fifth and sixth gears from said second intermediate shaft when said third spring clutch disconnects the direct drive between the seclond intermediate shaft and the fifth gear and enabling said fifth and sixth gears and said output shaft to overrun said third reduction gearing means when said third spring clutch establishes the direct drive from the second inter mediate shaft to the fifth gear.

6. A variable speed drive assembly comprising a pair of spaced apart support walls formed with aligned pairs of apertures, a rotary drive shaft supported rotatably at one of the apertures in one of said support walls, a rotary first intermediate shaft supported rotatably at the other aperture in said one support wall and extending parallel to the drive shaft, a rotary second intermediate shaft interfitting rotatably with the drive shaft and supported rotatably at one of the apertures in the other of said support walls to have the same axis of rotation as the drive shaft, a rotary driven shaft intertting rotatably with the first intermediate shaft and supported rotatably at the other aperture in said other support wall to have the same axis of rotation as said first intermediate shaft, a plurality of different sized pairs of meshing rotary gears mounted on the shafts with the meshing gears of each pair mounted for rotation about said axes of rotation, respectively, and means to selectively establish different drives through the gears from thedrive shaft to the driven shaft, said rotary first and second intermediate shafts extending from one of said support walls to the other said support wall.

7. A variable speed transmission comprising a pair of spaced apart support walls formed with aligned pairs of apertures, a rotary drive shaft supported rotatably at one of the apertures in one of said support walls, a rotary first intermediate shaft supported rotatably at the other aperture in said one support wall and extending parallel to the drive shaft, a rotary second intermediate shaft interfitting rotatably with the drive shaft and supported rotatably at one of the apertures in the other of said support walls to have the same axis of rotation as the drive shaft, a rotary driven shaft interfitting rotatably with the first intermediate shaft and supported rotatably at the other aperture in said other support wall to have the same axis of rotation as the first intermediate shaft, a plurality of different sized pairs of meshing rotary gears mounted on the shafts with the meshing gears of each pair mounted for rotation about said axes of rotation, respectively, said plurality of pairs of gears inclu-ding a series of pairs of gears in which one of the gears of each pair is secured fixedly to the shaft on which it is mounted and the other gear of that pair is rotatable on the shaft on which it is mounted, and a series of clutches respectively acting between said other gear of each pair in the series and the shaft on which each said other gear is mounted for alternatively coupling together each said other gear and the shaft on which it is mounted or disconnecting each said other gear and the shaft on which it is mounted to thereby establish different drives through the gears from the drive shaft to the driven shaft, said rotary first and second intermediate shafts extending from one of said support walls to the other said support wall.

8. A variable speed drive comprising a rotary drive shaft, a rotary first intermediate shaft, a first gear mounted on said drive shaft, a second gear mounted on said first intermediate shaft to rotate therewith and meshing with said first gear, a first operator-controlled clutch acting between said drive shaft andfsaid first gear to selectively establishxa `direct i drive ifrom'tthei` drive u shaft toiutheifirst gear orrto disengage `the-` :drive i shaft ifrom" directfdriving relationship -witht the first@ gear, `first, reduction gearing means mounted?oni'saididniveA shaftrand saidifirsbtinter-` mediatewshaft t andndrivenafromnsaid dnive'shafta a first overrnnningf` clutchf: acting betweenn saide first reduction gearing means andi` fsaidufii'st intermediate :shaft lto :drive said first intermediate shaft through said first reduction gearing. means from the fdriveeshaftwhen said firstf opcrater-'controlled i clutch*l disconnects; th'ewdirect' drive be-A tween theidrivefshaft and Asaidafirst= gear/and enabling said first intermediate shaft to overrun saidffirst reduction gear@ ing means whendriven fromthe'dr'iveshaft through said first and `second `gears when saidifirstuoperator=controlled clutch establishesthe direct drive from the driveshaft to` the first gear,` a .rotary second intermediate shaft, a third` gear` mounted on` said `firstintermedi-ate shaft, a fourth gear mounted on said second'intermediate shaft to rotate therewith and meshing with said third gear, a second operator-controlled clutchacting between said first intermediate shaft and said third gear 'to selectively establish a direct drive from said first intermediate shaft to said third gear or to disengage said first intermediate shaft from -direct driving relationship with said third gear, second reduction gearing means mounted on said first and second intermediate shafts and drivenifrom said first intermediate shaft, a second overrunning clutch acting between said secondi reduction gearing means and said second intermediate shaft to drive said second intermediate shaft through said second reduction gearing means from said first intermediateshaft when said second operatorc-ontrolled clutch disconnects the direct drive between said first intermediate shaft and said third gear and enabling said second intermediate shaft tooverrun said second re duction gearing means when driven from said first intermediate shaftthrough said third and fourth gears when said second operator-controlled clutch establishes the directdrive from said first intermediate shaft to thei third gear, a rotary output shaft, a fifth gear driven from said second intermediate shaft and in driving relation withlsaid t output shaft, a third operator-controlledfclutch acting be` tween said second intermediate shaft and said fth gear to selectively establish-a direct drive frornthe second intermediate shaft tothe fifthgear or to disengagethevsecond intermediate shaft from direct driving relationship withthe fifth gear, third reduction gearing means driven from said second intermediate shaft, anda third oven running clutch acting between said thirdireduction gearing means and said output shaft to drive said outputshaft through said third reduction gearing means from said sec ond intermediate shaft when said third operator-controlled clutch disconnects the directfdrive between the second intermediate shaft and the fifth gear and enabling said output `shaft to -overrun said third reduction gearingmeans when said third operator-controlled clutch establishesithe direct drive from the second intermediate shaftfto` Vthe fifth gear.

9. Avariable speed drive comprisinga rotary drive shaft, a rotary first intermediate shaft, a first gear mounted on said drive shaft, a second gear mounted on said first intermediate shaft to rotate therewith and meshing with said first gear, a first operator-controlled clutch acting between said drive shaft and said first gear to selectively establish a direct drive from the drive shaft to the first gear or to disengage the drive shaft from direct driving relationship with the first gear, first reduction gearing means driven from said drive shaft, a first overrunning clutch acting between said first reduction gearing means and said first intermediate shaft to drive said first intermediate shaft through said first reduction gearing means from the drive shaft when said first operator-controlled clutch disconnects the direct drive between the drive shaft and said first gear and enabling said first intermediate shaft to overrun said first reduction gearing means when driven from the drive shaft through said first andtsecond gears when said first operatorfcontrolledi f clntchil establishes `theb direct. drivefromy rthe drive '1 shaftto the'firstigean rotary'fsecond` in-1 termediate shaft, a third i gearmou'ntedson said first interme# diate` shaft, a :fourth gear' mounted onusaidilseeondintermediate `shaft totI rotate therewithandi nies'hingfwithsaid third gear, asecond `operatorcontrolled clutchlacting betweensaid` [first intermediate shaft 'and said f thirdV gear1 to selectivelyrestablish a direct `drive from: said first interme#A diatecshaft to said` third gearorfrtotidisengage said first intermediate shaft `from `direct driving"'relations:hip with. said'wthirdv gear, second freductiorr 'i gearing ,rneans driven frornnsaid rst `intermediate"shaft?,u la second overrunning clutchlaetingibetween said'secondreduction gearing means andxsaid` isecond intermediate: sha'ff 'tofwdive `said second` intermediateshaft through :said .second reduction gearing means from said first intermediate#shaftwhen said second operator-controlled clutch disconnects the direct drive between said first intermediate :shaft andlsaid third gear and `enabling said secondwintermediate `shaft to overrun said second reductiongearing means when driven from said first intermediate shaft through` said' third and fourth-` gears when saidsecond operator-controlled clutch establishes the direct ldrive from said first `intermediate shaft to thethird gear, a rotary outputtshaft, a fifth gear driven` from said second intermediate shaft andin driving. rela` tion` with said, output shaft, `a ,third operator-controlled clutch acting betweenisaid `secondiintermediate shaft and said fifth gear to selectively establish a direct drive from' thelsecond intermediate shaft to `the fifth" gear or to disengage the secondwintermediate shaft from` direct driving relationship with theffifth gear, thirdireduction gearing means driven from` said second` intermediate shaft, and a third overrunning clutch*` actingY between said third reduction gearing means and `said routput shaft to drive said outputr shaft `through said third reduction gearing means from 4said `second intermediateshaft when said third operator-controlled clutch `disconnectsy the direct drive between the second intermediate shaft and the fifth gear` and enablingsaid 4output Shaft to overrun saidithird `re-"1 duction gearing means when said third operator-controlled clutch Yestablishes the direct `driver `from the second intermediate-shaft to theififth gear.

l0. A variable-speed' drive comprising ia -rotarydrive shaft, arotary first intermediate shaft, a first gear adapted to be driven fromsaid drive shaft, a second gear mounted on said firstinterrnediate` shaft to rotate therewith `and' meshing with said first "gear, `a first operator-controlledclutch acting between said drive shaftand saidfirst gear to selectively establish a drive from the drive shaft to the first gear or to disengage `the-drive shaft from driving relationship with therst gear, first reduction gearingi means driven from said drive shaft,` a first over-running*y clutch actingfbetween said first reduction gearing means and said first intermediate'shaft todrive said first interme-1 diate shaft through said firstreductionfgearing means from the drive shaft when said first operator-controlled clutch disconnects 'the drive between the drive `shaft andi said first gear and enabling said firstintermediate shaft toi overrun saidifirst reductiongearing means when driven from thedrive shaftithrough-'said first andisecond .gearswhen said first operator-controlled clutch establishes the drive from the drive shaft to the first gear, a rotary second intermediate shaft, a third gear adapted to be driven from said first intermediate shaft, a fourth gear mounted on said second intermediate shaft to rotate therewith and meshing with said third gear, a second operator-controlled clutch acting between said first intermediate shaft and said third gear to selectively establish a drive from said first intermediate shaft to said third gear or todisengage said first intermediate shaft from driving relationship with said third gear, second reduction gearing means driven from said first intermediate shaft, a second overrunning clutch acting between said second reduction gearing means and said second intermediate shaft to drive said second intermediate shaft through said second reduction gearing means from said rst intermediate shaft when said second operator-controlled clutch disconnects the drive between said first intermediate shaft and said third gear and enabling said second intermediate shaft to overrun said second reduction gearing means when driven from said first intermediate shaft through said third and fourth gears when said second operator-controlled clutch establishes the drive from said first intermediate shaft to the third gear, a rotary output shaft, a fifth gear driven from said second intermediate shaft and in driving relation with said output shaft, a third operator-controlled clutch acting between said second intermediate shaft and said fth gear to selectively establish a direct drive from the second intermediate shaft to the fifth gear or to disengage the second intermediate shaft from direct driving relationship with the fifth gear, third reduction gearing means driven from said second intermediate shaft, and a third overrunning clutch acting between said third reduction gearing means and said output shaft to drive said output shaft through said third reduction gearing means from said second intermediate shaft when said third operatorcontrolled clutch disconnects the direct drive between the second intermediate shaft and the fifth gear and enabling said output shaft to overrun said third reduction gearing means when said third operator-controlled clutch establishes the direct drive from the second intermediate shaft to the fifth gear.

11. In a variable speed drive, the combination of a rotary shaft, a drive gear mounted on said shaft and adapted to be driven directly thereby, an operator-controlled clutch acting between said shaft and said drive gear and operable selectively to connect said drive gear directly to said shaft or alternatively to disconnect the shaft from direct drive relationship with said drive` gear, reduction gearing means driven from said shaft and including a final gear mounted rotatably on said shaft, and an over-running clutch acting between said final gear and said drive gear to drive said drive gear through the reduction gearing from the shaft when said operatorcontrolled clutch disconnects the direct drive between the shaft and the drive gear and permitting said drive gear to overrun said final gear when said operator-controlled clutch connects the drive gear directly to the shaft.

12. In a variable speed drive, the combination of a rotary driving shaft, a rotary output shaft spaced from said driving shaft, a first intermediate shaft interiitting rotatably with said output shaft and extending coaxial therewith, a drive gear mounted on `said driving shaft and adapted to be driven directly thereby, a driven gear having a connection to said output shaft and meshing with said drive gear to be driven thereby, a helical spring clutch acting between the driving shaft and the drive gear to connect the driving shaft directly to the drive gear when rotated in unison with the driving shaft, operator-controlled means for restraining the spring clutch against rotation with the driving shaft to disconnect said direct connection between the driving shaft and the drive gear, a reduction gearing comprising a plurality of gears mounted rotatably on the driving shaft and said first intermediate shaft and including a final gear mounted on the driving shaft, and an overrunning clutch acting between said final gear and the drive gear to drive said drive gear through the reduction gearing from the driving shaft when the spring clutch is restrained against rotation and permitting the drive gear to overrun said final gear when the spring clutch connects the driving shaft directly to the drive gear.

13. A variable speed drive assembly comprising a pair of spaced apart support walls formed with only two pairs of apertures, a rotary drive shaft supported rotatably at one of the apertures in one of said support walls, a rotary first intermediate shaft supported rotatably at the other aperture in said one support wall and extending parallel to the drive shaft, a rotary second intermediate shaft interfitting rotatably with the drive shaft and supported rotatably at one of the apertures in the other of said support walls to have the same axis of rotation as the drive shaft, a rotary driven shaft interfitting rotatably with the first intermediate shaft and supported rotatably at the other aperture in said other support wall to have the same axis of rotation as said first intermediate shaft, a plurality of different sized pairs of meshing rotary gears mounted on the two shafts with the meshing gears of each pair mounted for rotation about said axes of rotation respectively, and means to selectively establish different drives through the gears from the `drive shaft to the driven shaft, said rotary first and second intermediate shafts extending from one of said support walls to the other said support wall.

14. A variable speed drive assembly comprising a pair of spaced apart support walls formed with only two pairs of apertures, a rotary drive shaft supported rotatably at one of the apertures in one of said support walls, a rotary first intermediate shaft supported rotatably at the other aperture in said one support wall and extending parallel to the drive shaft, a rotary second intermediate shaft interlitting rotatably with the drive shaft and supported rotatably at one of the apertures in the other of said support walls to have the same axis of rotation as the drive shaft, a rotary driven shaft interfitting rotatably with the rst intermediate lshaft and supported rotatably at the other aperture in said other support wall to have the same axis of rotation as said first intermediate shaft, a plurality of different sized pairs of meshing rotary gears mounted on the two shafts with the meshing gears of each pair mounted for rotation about said axes of rotation respectively, and means to selectively establish different drives through the gears from the drive shaft to the driven shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 864,824 Barnes Sept, 3, 1907 1,861,931 Moldenhaver lune 7, 1932 2,456,600 Trout Dec. 14, 1948 2,461,027 Bodmer Feb. 8, 1949 2,622,450 Gorske Dec. 23, 1952 2,660,899 McCammon Dec. 1, 1953 2,694,939 Schmitter Nov. 23, 1954 

